Removable studs, tool for inserting and removing same and kit comprising studs and tool

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a stud and tool to remove the same.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/262,755, which was filed Sep. 12, 2016, which is incorporated hereinby reference as if fully set forth.

FIELD

The present invention pertains to the field of studs and in particularto removable studs, a tool for inserting and removing studs, and a kitcomprising both studs and the tool.

BACKGROUND

Studs are used on tires to increase tire traction on a wide range ofvehicles. A tire may require further traction to improve vehicle controlon specific surfaces such as snow and ice.

Conventionally studs are mounted on vehicle tires which have smallradial holes arranged in the tread area of the tire. The studs areforced into the holes by pressure, which press the studs into the holesto displace the rubber around the stud, thereby retaining the stud inposition. This installation requires cumbersome, and expensivespecialized tools. Once a stud is installed, it is generally recommendedthat it not be removed.

Generally, tires are purchased with the studs pre-installed. This doesnot provide the consumer or user the ability to decide the placement ornumber of studs that are installed in a tire.

Studs may be removed from a tire or replaced, and generally this is doneby a tire retailer. Stud removal can be hampered by wear and tear on thestud. In addition, tools for removal can be rendered ineffective due tobuild-up of material on the stud, during use of the tire.

Studs may also be used to improve the traction of footwear. Footwear mayrequire further traction to improve an individual's control or grip onspecific surfaces. Studs may be removed from footwear or replaced,however footwear stud removal can be hampered by wear and tear on thestud. Tools for footwear stud removal can be rendered ineffective due tobuild-up of material on the footwear stud, caused by the use of thefootwear.

Therefore, there is a need for a removable stud that is easily installedand removed and able to avoid material that may build up on the stud.There is a further need for a tool to facilitate installation andremoval of a stud that is still effective after stud use.

This background information is provided to reveal information believedby the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention.No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that anyof the preceding information constitutes prior art against the presentinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide removable studs, toolfor inserting and removing the same, and a kit comprising studs andtool. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a stud comprising a hexagonal head portion with a notchedflange connected to a threaded shank portion; wherein the notched flangeportion has two diametrically opposed notches and wherein each notch iscentered on a vertex of the hexagonal head.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a stud installation and removal device configured to installand remove the stud discussed above, the device comprising an elongatedshaft; connected to a wrench head, the wrench head comprising a neckwith two substantially diametrically opposed walls extended therefrom;each wall having an interior face configured to receive a vertex of thehexagonal head of the stud, each wall further comprising a tip portionconfigured for the notch of the stud, wherein gaps are provided betweenthe two walls.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a kit comprising the stud installation and removal device and aplurality of studs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be better understood inconnection with the following Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the stud of one embodiment of theinvention, detailing a hexagonal head portion, the notched flangeportion, the threaded shank, a head protrusion, and a pointed tip;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side, cut out view of FIG. 1 at A1, detailing thehexagonal head portion, a notched flange portion, a thread shank, andpointed tip;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the stud, specifically the head portionand notched flange portion of the stud of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the stud installation and removaldevice, detailing an elongated shaft with a hexagonal-shaped depressionsized to fit the screw head. This side of the device may be used toinstall the screw or for connection to a drill chuck extension. Thedevice also comprises a wrench head adapted to facilitate the removal ofstuds. The wrench head comprises a neck with two substantiallydiametrically opposed walls extended therefrom. Also shown is a tipportion configured for the notch of the stud and gaps the providedbetween the two walls. The hatched line on the left side of the figuredetails outline of the stud head.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate view of the stud installation andremoval device of FIG. 4 , specifically a view from the bottom showingthe two walls;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the stud installation andremoval device, detailing elongated shaft with a depression configuredfor connection to a drill chuck or drill chuck extension, and wrenchhead comprising a neck with wall extended therefrom. Also shown is a tipportion configured for the notch of the stud;

FIG. 7 illustrates a prospective view of the stud installation andremoval device, detailing an elongated shaft with a depressionconfigured for connection to a drill chuck or drill chuck extension, andwrench head comprising a neck with wall extended therefrom. Also shownis a tip portion configured for the notch of the stud; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of the stud installation and removal device,specifically the view is shows the end of the elongated shaft withhexagonal-shaped depression.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention provides studs and a device for installation and removalof same. Also provided are kits comprising a plurality of studs, a studinstallation and removal device and optionally instructions for use. Thestuds can be various sizes and are sized according to the application.For example, smaller studs may be used on footwear; whereas larger studsmay be used on vehicle tires. The stud installation and removal deviceis sized to fit the stud. In some embodiments, the studs and studinstallation and removal device are sold separately. Alternatively, thestuds and stud installation and removal device are provided together asa kit. In some embodiments, the kits include a variety of sized studsand corresponding devices.

The stud of the invention includes a hexagonal head portion with anotched flange connected to a threaded shank portion. The notched flangeportion has two diametrically opposed notches. Each notch is centered ona vertex of the hexagonal head. In some embodiments, the notches arenarrowed proximal to the outside edge of the flange. Generally, bothnotches are substantially identical and extend the full width and depthof the flange.

The present invention also provides a stud installation and removaldevice configured to install and remove the studs of the invention. Thedevice comprises an elongated shaft connected to a wrench head. Thewrench head comprises a neck with two substantially diametricallyopposed walls extended therefrom; each wall having an interior faceconfigured to receive a vertex of the hexagonal head of the stud. Gapsare provided between the two walls. Each wall further comprising a tipportion configured to fit in a notch of the stud. The wrench head isdesigned to accommodate the hexagonal head portion of the stud. The twowalls of the wrench head are designed to the fit within the notches ofthe flange portion of the stud. The stud installation and removal deviceis designed to include two gaps in the wrench head portion to allow forescape of debris during use, regardless of build-up of material upon thestud.

The neck of the wrench head or the elongated shaft may be inserted intoa drill chuck in order to allow a user to remove and install a studusing a drill. In one embodiment, the user installs a stud using theaperture at the elongated shaft of the device and the user removed astud using the wrench head of the device.

In some embodiments, the stud installation and removal device is twoheaded. The first end comprising the wrench head and the second endcomprising a hexagonal-shaped depression sized to accommodate a screwhead. The second side may be used to install the stud or for connectionto a drill chuck extension.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that a stud is configured to beinserted into or removed from a shoe, boot, sandal, or other footwear aswould be understood by someone skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the stud is configured to beinserted into, or removed from the tire of a vehicle such as but notlimited to a car, truck, jeep, van, minivan, bus, coach, transporttruck, motorcycle, moped, utility vehicle, sport utility vehicle,military vehicle, heavy machinery, pneumatic machinery, farmingequipment, bicycle, tricycle, skateboard, all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”),motocross bike, dirt bike, amphibious vehicle, rickshaw, electricvehicle, golf cart, wagon, trailer, ice resurfacer, snow groomer orother vehicle as would be understood by someone skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the stud and studinstallation and removal device may be used for vehicles within therecreational, transport, mining, forestry, construction or otherindustry as would be understood by someone skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the stud may be insertedinto, or removed from one tire, or multiple tires of a vehicle. Thisremoval may be done by the vehicle user using an inexpensive tool suchas a drill. This method makes stud installation inexpensive, easy andportable, such that installation and removal can be done by the user onthe field.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the stud and studinstallation and removal device may be used on new or used tires.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the stud and studinstallation and removal device may be used on tires designed for one ormore seasons.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the stud may be made ofhot-dipped steel, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, iron, metal,plastic, composite, ceramic or other material as would be understood bysomeone skilled in the art.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the stud may be thermallygalvanized with a zinc coating, or some other coating as would beunderstood by someone skilled in the art to improve the stud ability towithstand environmental conditions.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the construction of the studmay be unitary.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the construction of the studmay be made in separate pieces and assembled.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that certain components orparts of the stud may be comprised of different materials to improve thecapabilities of the stud, as would be understood by someone skilled inthe art. For example, the stud may have a tungsten carbide thread tipwhich is welded to each stud to amplify continuous traction of the stud.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the stud installation andremoval device may be made of hot-dipped steel, steel, aluminum, copper,iron, metal, plastic, composite, or other material as would beunderstood by someone skilled in the art.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the stud installation andremoval device is thermally galvanized with a zinc coating, or someother coating as would be understood by someone skilled in the art toimprove the stud ability to withstand environmental conditions.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the construction of the studinstallation and removal device is unitary.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the construction of the studinstallation and removal device may be made in separate pieces andassembled.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that certain components of thestud installation and removal device are comprised of differentmaterials to improve the capabilities of the device, as would beunderstood by someone skilled in the art. For example, the device mayhave a tungsten carbide or titanium carbide tip portion which is welded,pressed, glued or otherwise coupled to each stud installation andremoval device.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the size of the stud isvaried to suit a specific vehicle or condition. Portions of the stud maysimilarly be varied to suit a specific vehicle or condition includingbut not limited to the thickness of a tire. For example, a stud may bemade larger overall to better suit heavy machinery. Alternatively, astud may be made smaller overall to better suit footwear. A stud headportion may be made larger to provide greater traction on ice.

The size of the stud installation and removal device will be varied tosuit the specific size of a stud. For example, the wrench head of thedevice may be made larger to suit a larger head portion of the stud. Theshaft portion of the device may be made smaller to suit the drill chuckof a smaller drill. Various device may have the same sized elongatedshaft.

Stud

It is contemplated that the stud head portion is hexagonal in shape. Thehexagonal shape is suited to fit into a hexagonal cavity within the studinstallation and removal device. The top surface of the head portion maybe flat, or may comprise a head protrusion. The head protrusion may be acylindrical protrusion that of the head portion, extending slightly awayfrom the head portion.

The depth of the head portion may be varied and in some embodiments makeup about a fifth of the entire length of the stud. In anotherembodiment, it is contemplated that the stud head portion depth may makeup less than, or more than a fifth of the entire length of the stud, tofacilitate additional or alternative functionality of the head portion.For example, the head portion may extend to make up half of the entirelength of the stud, in order to provide further traction surface areafor particularly soft surfaces such as mud. The additional length of thehead portion may also facilitate easier installation and removal of thestud within a tire.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the top surface of thehead portion may be rounded, conical, convex, concave, or some othershape as would be understood by someone skilled in the art.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the top surface of thehead portion may not comprise a head protrusion.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the head protrusion maybe spiked, flat, circular, triangular, diamond, square, oval,pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or some other shape aswould be understood by someone skilled in the art.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the head protrusion mayextend further away from the head portion to facilitate additional oralternative functionality of the stud. For example, the head protrusionmay extend to make up a quarter of the entire length of the stud, inorder to provide further traction capabilities.

The stud head portion is connected to the notched flange portion. Thenotched flange radially extends outwards from the head portion. Thenotched flange portion has two diametrically opposed notches, each ofwhich is centered on a vertex of the hexagon. The two notches thereforeappear generally m-shaped with the center point of the “m” formed by thevertex of hexagonal head portion. The notches generally have a narrowerportion at the flange's outer edge which opens into a wider portionproximal to the vertex of hexagonal head portion. The narrower portionof the notch at the flange's outer edge assists in providing the flangestrength and increased contact surface when coupled with a tire orfootwear. As opposed to apertures where direct or foreign objects canbecome lodges, the notches opening at the flange's outer edge assists inpreventing buildup of dirt or other foreign objects in the notch area.The narrower portions of the notch at the flange's outer edge alsoassist in providing increased flange surface area.

The notched flange portion is shaped to suit a stud installation andremoval device. Specifically the two notches of the stud configured toaccommodate the tip portion of the device.

When the stud is installed in a tire or shoe, the notched flange portionis configured to be slightly embedded within the surface of the tire orshoe. The notched flanged portion prevents the head portion from beinginserted too deep within the tire during installation.

In another embodiment, the thread portion is connected to the notchedflange portion. In some embodiments, the thread portion may be taperedor pointed at the thread portion end. The threading on the threadportion may begin slightly below the notched flange portion, andcontinue away from the notched flange portion through the entirety ofthe thread portion. Alternatively, the shank is threaded along its totallength, optionally the thread may be varied over the length of theshank.

The thread portion is helical and has two angled surfaces. In oneembodiment, the top edge of the thread portion has an angle ofapproximately 90 degrees with the shank and the cutting edge has anangle of approximately 40 degrees from the outer portion of the top edgeof the thread portion. The angle of the top edge assists in preventingthe stud from being dislodged from the coupled surface. The angle of thecutting edge facilitates entry into a surface.

In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the thread portion mayextend without narrowing, from the head portion to a thread portion tip.The thread portion tip may be conical is shape, coming to a point at theend furthest away from the head portion. It is also contemplated thatdifferent parts of the thread portion may be made of differentmaterials.

The crest of the thread may be varied according to application. In someof the embodiments, the crest of the thread at its widest has a diametersubstantially the same as the diameter of the head of the stud.Alternative, the crest of the thread at its widest has a diameter thatis less than the diameter of the head of the stud.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the thread portion,and/or thread portion tip may be shaped to suit a specific functionalpurpose. For example, the thread portion may be straight, curved,broaden, flare, narrow, or otherwise as would be understood by someoneskilled in the art. In another example, the thread portion tip may beshaped as a pyramid, point, blunt end, ball point, or otherwise as wouldbe understood by someone skilled in the art.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the thread portion mayinclude a non-threaded portion. Alternatively the thread portion may bebare, rounded, spiral, or otherwise as would be understood by someoneskilled in the art. The non-threaded portion may include annular rings,notches, cutouts, holes, or otherwise as would be understood by someoneskilled in the art.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the threading on thethread portion may begin immediately below the notched flange portion,and continues away from the notched flange portion through the entiretyof the thread portion. It is also contemplated that the threading on thethread portion may not be continuous through the entirety of the threadportion. The threading may be imposed on part of the thread portion, oron multiple parts of the thread portion.

Stud Installation and Removal Device—Elongated Shaft

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the elongated shaft portionmay be cylindrical in shape, connected to and extending from the wrenchhead. The elongated shaft portion may be configured to fit within adrill chuck so that the drill chuck is able to grasp the elongated shaftportion.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the shaft portion maycontain a depression, a protrusion, or some combination of a depressionand a protrusion, designed to facilitate a drill chuck.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the shaft portion may betriangular, rectangular, prismatic, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal,octagonal, or otherwise as would be understood by someone skilled in theart.

It is also contemplated that the shaft portion end furthest away fromthe wrench head comprises an aperture or depression configured toreceive the head portion of a stud to be affixed to a surface. In oneembodiment, the aperture or depression has a hexagonal shape onlyslightly larger than the stud to be coupled to a surface and had a depthof at least the height of the head portion. In some embodiments, theaperture or depression includes a rounded end to receive the headprotrusion of the head portion of a stud.

Stud Installation and Removal Device—Wrench Head

The wrench head comprises a neck with two substantially diametricallyopposed walls extended therefrom. The walls having an interior faceconfigured to receive a vertex of the head of the stud. In oneembodiment, the walls have an interior face configured to receive avertex of a hexagonal head of the stud. The walls have a height that isgreater than the height of stud head such that when the stud is in placethere is a gap between the top of the stud and the base of the neck.Each wall further comprises a tip portion configured for the notch ofthe stud. The tips have an interior face configured to receive a vertexof the hexagonal head of the stud. Gaps are provided between the twowalls.

The neck may be configured to fit within a drill chuck so that the drillchuck is able to firmly grasp the neck. In one embodiment, the diameterof the neck is slightly smaller than the diameter of the elongatedshaft.

In one embodiment, the neck contains at least one depression,protrusion, shape, or some combination thereof, designed to facilitatethe head portion of a stud.

It is contemplated that the neck may be cylindrical, triangular,rectangular, prismatic, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, orotherwise as would be understood by someone skilled in the art.

Use of Stud Installation and Removal Device

In one embodiment, in order to install a stud to a surface using thestud installation and removal device, the user inserts and secures theneck of wrench head of the device within a drill chuck of a drill. Theuser then inserts the head portion of the screw within the aperture atthe end of the elongated shaft and can thereafter affix the stud to thesurface. The aperture at the end of the elongated shaft is generallystronger and more durable than the configuration of the wrench head andis therefore preferred to screw the studs into surfaces.

In order to remove a screw from a surface using the stud installationand removal device, the user inserts and secures the elongated neck ofthe device within a drill chuck of a drill. In this portion, the wrenchhead of the device is exposed and secured for use. The user then insertsthe wrench head over the head portion of the stud with each the tipportions of the walls of the wrench head fixing within the notches offlange portion of the stud. The tips are particularly useful and in somecases necessary for the removal of the stud, when the head of the studis worn down and its side walls cannot properly grip the walls of thewrench head.

In an alternative embodiment, the wrench head of the device is used tonot only to install the studs but also to remove studs from a surface.

Stud Kit

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that studs and/or a studinstallation and removal device may be sold to consumers individually.In another embodiment, it is contemplated that studs and/or a studinstallation and removal device may be sold as a kit to consumers. It isalso contemplated that studs may be sold to consumers in various packagesizes, to suit the users' needs. It is further contemplated that studsmay be sold to consumers in various packages which may include adetachable measuring tool and/or an installation diagram andinstructions on how to use the device and studs.

Examples

The invention will now be described with reference to specific examples.It will be understood that the following examples are intended todescribe embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit theinvention in any way.

In one example as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , it is contemplated thatthe hexagonal head portion 1 is connected to a notched flange portion 2,which is connected to a thread shank 3. The top of the head portionincludes a head protrusion 4, and the threaded shank ends in pointed tip5. The stud head portion has six flat sides 6 to make up a head portionthat is hexagonal in shape.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 the stud head portion 1 includes a notchedflange portion 2. The top of the head portion includes a head protrusion4, while the notched flange portion includes two diametrically opposednotches 10, each of which is centered on a vertex of the hexagon of thehead portion 1. The two notches 10 therefore appear generally m-shapedwith the center point of the “m” formed by the vertex of hexagonal headportion 1. The notches 10 have a narrower portion at the flangeportion's 2 outer edge which opens into a wider portion proximal to thevertex of hexagonal head portion 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 4-8 , in oneembodiment the stud installation and removal device comprises anelongated shaft 20 connected to a wrench head 21. The elongated shaftportion contains a depression 22 configured to accommodate the headportion 1 of a stud. The most inner portion of the depression 22 isconfigured to accommodate the head protrusion 4 of the head portion 1.The wrench head 21 includes a neck portion 23 with two substantiallydiametrically opposed walls 24 extended therefrom. Each wall 24 includesa tip portion 28. Together the walls 24 form an opening 31 configured toaccommodate the head portion 1 of the stud, and are sized to providegaps 27 between the head potion 1 of the stud within the wrench head 21and the base 26 of the wrench head 21 to allow for escape of debris onthe head portion 1 during use. It is obvious that the foregoingembodiments of the invention are examples and can be varied in manyways. Such present or future variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferredembodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadestinterpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

What is claimed is:
 1. A removable tire stud consisting of: a solidhexagonal shaped head portion having a top surface, the head portionbeing continuous with a threaded, pointed shank portion; a notchedflange fixed to the head portion proximal to the threaded, pointed shankportion; wherein the notched flange has two diametrically opposednotches in an outer edge thereof, wherein each notch is centered on avertex of the hexagonal shaped head, and wherein each notch generallyhas an m-shape with a center point formed by the vertex of the hexagonalshaped head portion.
 2. The stud of claim 1, wherein the shank has atotal length and is threaded along the total length.
 3. The stud ofclaim 1, wherein the threaded shank has a uniform thread.
 4. The stud ofclaim 1, wherein a crest of the thread has a diameter less than a widthof the head.
 5. The stud of claim 1, wherein the top surface has a headprotrusion.
 6. The stud of claim 5, wherein the head protrusion is acircular protrusion.
 7. The stud of claim 1, wherein construction of thestud is unitary.
 8. The stud of claim 1, wherein each notch extends fromthe head through the flange.